Scunthorpe and Scarborough - the UK destinations surging in popularity as the heatwave continues

The number of Brits flocking to the seaside is set to more than double as the nation experiences one of the hottest summers on record, research has found.

Traditional seaside towns Southend-on-Sea, Margate, Scarborough and St Ives are all seeing a surge in popularity as the heatwave continues.

Southend-on-Sea has seen the biggest growth with train bookings to the town for July and August up an incredible 210 per cent compared to the same period in 2016.

Bookings to Margate have increased by 164 per cent, while St Ives and Scarborough have seen a rise of 79 per cent and 76 per cent respectively.

The spike was identified after analysts compared the Trainline app’s booking data for July and August 2018 to the same stretch in 2016.

Oliver Berry, co-author of the Lonely Planet’s Guide to Great Britain, said: “It’s great to see that Brits are getting out and exploring their own backyard.

“And it’s especially encouraging that people are seeking out some of Britain's lesser-known spots - and rediscovering a few old favourites that perhaps have something new to offer.”

It’s not just the British seaside experiencing a tourism surge – Birmingham has seen a 163 per cent boost in the number of people planning to travel there this summer compared to 2016.

Manchester has seen an 141 per cent increase, Wigan has had a 113 per cent rise and Scunthorpe is up 106 per cent.

The New Forest, in southern England, has seen a 91 per cent rise, while visits to Durham are up 80 per cent.

Amid this, the Trainline app also commissioned a poll of 2,000 UK adults which found around six in 10 are more likely to holiday in the UK this year.

Fergus Weldon, data science director at Trainline, said: “It’s great to see that Brits are falling back in love with the great British coast and are going back to places visited as a child for their UK trips and travel this year.

“Alongside showing customers how to travel in the most cost-effective way with our Price Prediction tool, we’re also providing a guide to some of the weird and wonderful hidden gems of each destination, to make these trips extra special for travellers this summer.”

TOP 10 UK DESTINATIONS ON THE UP (AND THEIR HIDDEN GEMS):

Trainline has teamed-up with Oliver Berry to identify the weird and wonderful ‘hidden gems’ of the Great British Isles.

1. Southend on Sea (+210%) – The Southend Pier Museum

2. Margate (+164%) – The Shell Grotto

3. Birmingham (+163%) – Saltwells Local Nature Reserve

4. Manchester (+141%) – Mackie Mayor Food Hall

5. Wigan (+113%) – Leeds Liverpool Canal

6. Scunthorpe (+106%) – Julian’s Bower

7. New Forest (+91%) – Puffin Cruises

8. Durham (+80%) – Hamsterley Forest

9. Cornwall (St Ives) (+79%) – Sloop Craft Centre

10. Scarborough (+76%) – Scarborough Surf School

To help customers get the most out of their summer travels, the Trainline app has unveiled a Price Prediction tool which enables you to see when train ticket prices are about to rise.